I left B & C after the personnel manager boarded the Capetown Castle upon our return to Southampton and informed me of a promotion to Third Mate on the Scottish Ptarmigan. The sudden shift from passenger liner to tanker caught me completely off guard. In shock, I declined the offer — effectively ending my time with B & C.

My next move was to join the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company (Jardines), drawn by better pay and the benefit of tax-free earnings. I spent two years there and earned my First Mate’s certificate in Hong Kong.

Afterward, I returned to the UK and signed on with Bank Line. One short voyage — nine months — was enough to convince me it wasn’t the right fit.

Then, in a twist of fate, I returned to tankers, joining World-Wide Shipping and serving as Mate under a Mate’s ticket.

In 1971, I completed my Master's certificate in Southampton and continued with World-Wide for a couple more six-month voyages.

This was followed by a shift to the Middle East, where I served as Master of an offshore maintenance vessel for nine months. I then moved to Jebel Dhanna, taking up a role as pilot/berthing master, and was later promoted to Senior Marine Officer with Lamnalco, the contracting company.

In 1977, I had a brief assignment as a pilot on Das Island before returning to Jebel Dhanna to become Marine Supervisor with ADPC, the operating oil company. I remained in that position until 1982.

At that point, I took a major step and transitioned into business back home — a venture that continued successfully until my retirement in 2010.

These days, we divide our time between our primary home and our apartment in Vilamoura.